1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Avon Touring Sedan with Coachwork by Brewster: From the 1978 motion picture The Betsy
As most Phantom I Avon sedans were built for owner-operation, this example is one of few constructed as a Touring Sedan with a rollup division window. In addition it is outfitted with a luggage trunk and dual side-mounted spares with mirrors. Even better, this Phantom I Avon has movie history. In its case it was in the 1978 film version of Harold Robbins' novel "The Betsy" the story of an ill-fated automobile entrepreneur and his family. Dressed up for the film in peach paint with cream fenders and body beltline accent, its roof is padded in cream leatherette. The interior is beige leather. The six wire wheels are painted in body color and all carry wide whitewall tires. Rolls-Royce records reveal that it was sold new to Parker Corning of Kenwood, New York (between Syracuse and Utica) on November 14, 1930. It remained with him until August 1946 when it was sold to pioneer collector and historian Keith Marvin of New Canaan, Connecticut. Marvin sold it on New Year's Eve 1950 to Albert O. White of Schenectady, New York. It was later acquired by Ted Leonard. Following Mr. Leonard's passing the car was acquired by its previous owner. The Rolls-Royce appears to have been sympathetically preserved by a succession of owners with the chassis and engine compartment particularly impressive and highly original. The repaint is to movie standards (good enough for the camera) but the car is sound and well preserved. On static display for the past decade, the overall appearance and presentation encourage confidence in its preservation and condition which makes it an excellent candidate for driving, following mechanical recommissioning.
It's easy to see the Avon sedan's attraction. Its low roofline and slightly raked windshield with body-colored frame blended attractively with the longer Phantom hood and looked particularly good with a padded roof. The wide center posts gave the visual effect of a convertible sedan, but with the snug, secure, protected passenger compartment of a full sedan. As one of the few touring sedans with division window versions of the popular Brewster Avon coachwork it will be a valued participant at concours and Rolls-Royce events.
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Avon Touring Sedan
Coachwork by Brewster & Co.
Chassis no. S320LR
Engine no. 21209 - Featured in the 1978 motion picture The Betsy
- Rarely seen Avon with division
- Well known history
- Accompanied by Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation
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